So, are you itching to dust off that old Canon camera you bought six years ago when you had a burst of creative inspiration or went on that exotic trip to Costa Rica? Or perhaps you are stuck in a job you cannot stand and want only to chase your creative passions.

Hey, trust me, I get it! Why? Because I did that very thing this past year. I left my 9-5 job, and what started as a way to make some money (photography) while I scrambled to figure out my next step turned into one of the best “by mistake” gifts I could receive. In this article I want to share with you:

1. My Why

2. Why we all have to start somewhere, even if that somewhere is right where you are standing, like in an old storage unit (hint: it almost always is right where you are standing not necessarily the old storage unit part…)

3. A few words of encouragement to help you take the leap in your own creative passions!

So let’s do it!

The Big Scary and Hairy Leap

In March, I left what most would describe as a lucrative job as a project manager at a manufacturing firm. It was my first job out of college and I worked my way up the chain into a six-figure income, a sweet gig working remote after COVID, and no struggle to save for my financial future. In other words, I was living the “American Dream” as they used to say.

So why did I leave you might ask? In short, it was not only “just time”, I just knew I had so much more creative energy I wanted to share with the world. As well, in 2023, I had started my own podcast and you know how they say “oh you have the travel bug”. Boy, did I have the podcast bug! I was absolutely hooked on sharing my creative voice with anyone who would listen and in any way I could. So, I took societal expectations, threw them out the door (scary, right?) and took the leap!

But into what?

And that I did not know. I just knew I had to get my podcast re-started and express myself. This is where photography comes in. It’s a bit of an unlikely story.

The Story

In August, after a few months of treating myself to some “Eat-Pray-Love” travel to Portugal, I returned home with little money and needing to find a way to make an income. After taking a few photographs of my mom one day, she off-handidly said “you’ve’ always had an eye for composition”, as she pointed wearily to an old photo I took of her with my dad and grandmother some twenty plus years ago. And look, I know most of our moms are “supposed to be our best cheerleader”, so why take this totally seriously right? But it at least led me to think, “hey what if I could take photographs, and get paid for it, while I get my podcast off the ground?” Logical, right? So, I headed over to my storage unit in 95 degree New Orleans weather, traversed through jungle-like rows of rusted chairs and trodden-down pillows, sifting through dumpy boxes, until there it was, My Canon EOS Rebel T6i camera I had bought six years ago to shoot whales (whales?) in Alaska.

And the rest is history. No just kidding

So what did I do once I found my camera? I started taking photographs. I took photographs of anything. And when I say anything, I mean ANYTHING. Like this old tire. Cringe.

One could say, I had little more than blind optimism and most certainly knew nothing about shooting with a professional or even hobbyist camera. I just knew I had an eye for composition and I enjoyed connecting with people. But let me tell you something, after only just a few months in this business I have already started to find some success and the results I have seen have been inspiring. I have had the opportunity to work with some already amazing [and paid!] clients, including the cast of Jekyll and Hyde: The Musical and Clue: On Stage at Jefferson Performing Arts, had a promotional video done by the ever-creative Jessica Mixton at JMIX productions, grown my Instagram following by 20% alone in the past week, and started taking photographs like this! A far cry from my tire days.

A Final Word

So, at this point, you might be asking, how did you even get your first paid client? And this is something, I cannot wait to share with you! More to come soon! But before you go, let me say this.

If you even think you have a creative gift to share with the world, do not ignore this hunch. I am not saying you have to completely ditch the 9-5 schedule like I did, at least not right away (more on that later), but I am saying you will not regret it.

Go all of the way. Make it yours and do not look back. The world needs whatever is churning inside you. Especially now amidst so much hardship and complexity in our world. Art and creativity is a healing force. It always has been and always will be as long as we have brave enough souls out there, just like you, to bring your dreams into existence.

As for me, I am 100% still in a place of hustle. Of not knowing where my next client will come from, but I can say this. I go to bed every single night excited to wake up and make my vision a reality. And that is something, gosh forbid the world ended tomorrow, I will take with me to my grave knowing I gave all of myself to the gift that is my creative self.

Until next time friends!